TNA MT 40 66

MORT
SEAL
LINE STEAMERS
79
80 st, 1940.
Director of Sea Transport, exten
Ministry of Shipping, od.
25th August, 1940.
London.
mort
Gentlemen,
129
and
I have to acknowledge the receipt of
RECEIVED
rebiod
130
your letter of the 20th instant and to
USA Area STATE
thank you for the interesting report of
7th instant.
the Master of the S.S. "BENLAWERS" on tain a report from the Master
VIDAD
the evacuation from France his experiences at Calais.
I am, Gentlemen,
'S truly, gards
Your obedient Servant,
902
JOP
(Sgd.) b.y. Whyman
S to proceed into harbour, for Director of Sea Transport.
Pp on, and that things did
Messrs. William Thomson & Co., breakwaters we picked up
28, Bernard Street,
Leith.
from the harbour, but rong tide and the space clearing the breakwater cort, and once more reaching the being apparently received the signal from within.
instructed us out to sea,
In the afternoon we managed in, mooring alongside that quay with our head out ready for any emergency, for it was the came Calais was not to be held long. Major Attway R.M., apparent for, who on board together with Officers of the unit our cargo D.S.T.O. was destined asked us to co-operate as much as possible to get the cargo der
SINGLE
The great majority of the buoys were unlit,
TWI
the a bi., were rowing off in their boat towards us. I picked them up, also boat and crew of barge "DUCHESS" that had anchored in the Roads, and then the next wave of bombers were overhead.
(Continued)

TROGRAD Telegraphic STEAMERS Address, LTD. LTD.
STEAMERS
"THOMSON, LEITH."
Memorandum
EPHONE 35652 LEITH
79
20th August, 1940.
From William Thomson Ho
To Director of Sea Transport,
PARTNERS
28 Bernard Street,
IOMSON.
Ministry of Shipping,
THOMSON
J.D. THOMSON, Bart.
Leithl.
London.
M.MITCHELL.
M. Ref: T.M.6213/40/S.T.A.6
Dear Sir,
130
"Benlawers"
We refer to your letter of 7th instant.
We have now been able to obtain a report from the Master of the above vessel in connection with the evacuation from France and this report is enclosed.
Yours truly,
ENCLOSURE
N°295
that we were in for a hot reception, and that us to proceed into harbour,
Many not look too well. As we headed between the things did this a available we message were was easier ordered "Keep for ship's said out", in again than of which "Benlawers" at done was once owing flashed by size. the to the O.C. to On us strong Escort, breakwaters clearing from tide the the and harbour, we breakwater picked the space but up
"Benlawers" was put in a position to enter, on reaching and once the more breakwaters having however, Escort hailed us and instructed us out to sea, apparently received the signal from within.
In the afternoon we managed in, mooring alongside quay that with our head out ready for any emergency, for it was apparent the
Calais was not to be held long. Major Attway R.M., D.S.T.O.
came for, on board together with Officers of the unit our cargo was destined who asked us to co-operate as much as possible to get the cargo der
SINGLE
The great majority of the buoys were unlit, the
TWI
a bi.,
Daige were rowing off in their boat towards us. I picked them up, also boat and crew of barge "DUCHESS" that had anchored in the Roads, and then the next wave of bombers were overhead.
(Continued)

78
STATEMENT FROM "BENLAWERS" ON EVACUATION FROM CALAIS.
131
On the 23rd. May 1940 "Benlawers" was instructed to proceed to sea from Southampton with her usual cargo of M.T!s, whi were mainly filled with ammunition and in addition about 30 tons of
Petrol was stowed on the after main deck.
9060
On arrival off Dover on the morning of the 24th. May, orders were received to proceed in company with the "Kohistan" and a Destroyer Escort to Bologne, all going well till we headed down the
French coast towards that port, when heavy gunfire broke out close ahead, and we were not surprised when the Escort ordered us to about ship and follow him.
Off Calais the Escort ordered us to proceed into harbour, warning us that we were in for a hot reception, and that things did not look too well. As we headed between the breakwaters we picked up a message "Keep out", which was flashed to us from the harbour, but this was easier said than done owing to the strong tide and the space available for ship's of "Benlawers" size. On clearing the breakwater we were ordered in again at once by the 0.C.Escort, and once more
"Benlawers" was put in a position to enter, on reaching the breakwaters, however, Escort hailed us and instructed us out to sea, having apparently received the signal from within.
In the afternoon we managed in, mooring alongside the quay with our head out ready for any emergency, for it was apparent that Calais was not to be held long. Major Attway R.M., D.S.T.O.
came on board together with Officers of the unit our cargo was destined for, who asked us to co-operate as much as possible to get the cargo der single the
The great majority of the buoys were unlit,
TWIS
a bi., carge and were rowing off in their boat towards us. I picked them up, also boat and crew of barge "DUCHESS" that had anchored in the Roads, and then the next wave of bombers were overhead.
(Continued)

(2)
132
hloaded as quickly as possible for the enemy was close, saying they would hold them if they got the stuff to do it with. All our men em turned to, and did their utmost to this end, the R.E's being more
WEB
This for
Total or less played out, having we understood been at it for three days to
700
without a break. Our task was considerably hampered by recurring we
50
bombing attacks from the air, and later from shell fire from the
BY
The direction of the town, which we were told was from howitzers towed into the town by the advance tanks, and it was evident they were very close as men we had landed contacted the enemy within half an to on deck S.B. our hour of being put ashore. About 10 p.m. we had discharged part of were received to proceed to low our cargo, when Major Attway, who I may add was carrying out the to admirable work along with his S.T.O. colleagues, told me that things batteries, looked very black, and left it to me to leave when I considered it n to to necessary, but at the same time ordering me to stay and take off as the many men as possible. All preparations were made for a hasty departure,
30 on the I decided it but I gave my word that I would not leave till he ordered me to bank to the line of do so. Meantime the last train load of wounded arrived, apparently after we we to a very and rough passage, having been bombed heavily, and I am told
French with of us. The the driver had to be forced to keep the train moving at the of a revolver. first point we to take the wounded, this I agreed to, By this were asked on a few of the
As the hospital ship which was expected did not arrive, were being heavily shelled, all making over our lying in this time we precarious or 30 the position a the one. Attempts were made to discharge more cargo during night the or rather May early morning, as Officers from the front pleading for ammunition, and this was done till we started were the wounded. At to load about 2 a.m. we felt an extra heavy blow to the ship, der single
The great majority of the buoys were unlit,
TWIN
a bi.,
Daigo were rowing off in their boat towards us. I picked them up, also boat and crew of barge "DUCHESS" that had anchored in the Roads, and then the next wave of bombers were overhead.
(Continued)

-2-
ear
189
About 1.00 p.m. I was ordered to shift alongside the S.S.
ROEBUCK" to avoid taking the ground, as I was drawing more than 14
'eet of water. Destroyers, Trawlers and Hospital Ships were arriving continuously, and the embarkation of the troops and wounded proceeded
1990
without interruption, notwithstanding the efforts of the German Bombers
TO
who were continually coming over the port and dropping their bombs.
Lewis Gunner Mellis was continually in action with his Gun and soon had some willing assistants from amongst the troops, who collected ammunition from the other troops and kep the Lewis Gun trays full. About
3.00 p.m. I berthed alongside again and on being asked by the Pier
Commander when I would be ready to sail, replied "I have come for a full load of troops so why sail before I am full up it only means more ships will be required".
The Commander informed me that he had to dispatch the
Destroyers as quickly as possible, and that I could assist the embarkation by taking troops whenever a jam occurred on the Pier, so I carried on accordingly. About this time, the Germans were particularly active, and shore A.A. Guns, Destroyers and ships were hitting back with everything they had. Occasionally a few shells whined overhead and fell into the Harbour, but did no material damage. Numerous air battles were in progress and several machines came down, some of the Pilots baling out.
At 6.00 p.m. the Pier was crowded with French Troops, most of them keen to board the Destroyers in the hope they would be landed in
French Ports. Observing a lot of them coming on board, having a feed and going ashore again, I had a conference with a British Army Captain and a French Major, and decided that if the French Troops would not embark that the ship should sail. I estimated that I had 500 Troops on board, about 70 of them French, and the French still refusing to embark I reluctantly cast off and steamed out of the Harbour.
The homeward roûte was a wonderful sight, hundreds of small craft of every description were seen making towards Dunkirk. Meanwhile the German Bombers were busy, large flights of them appearing and dropping their loads all over the place. I organised a party of ten sildiers on the Forecastle Head with orders to fire at any aircraft coming within ranage. Gunner Mellis was putting in some great work with his gun, and it was afterwards reported to me by an Army Officer that he had registered hits on three enemy 'planes, two of which came down; in fact, the Officer hearing of his excellent shooting went to stand by him with his glasses and observed him shoot down an enemy fighter plane. The Pilot baling out was eventually picked up by a tug about half a mile astern of us. At this time there were more than seventy enemy planes overhead dropping their bombs all around us like hailstones, but our luck held good and we escaped undamaged, but
I feel sure that some of the small boats being towed towards Dunkirk were either hit by the bombs or swamped with the huge columns of water caused by the explosions.
At Dusk the North Goodwin Lt. V. was sighted and navigating the vessel through the Downs in the dark I dropped anchor off Deal at
11.30 p.m. to await daylight to proceed to Dover. Most of the troops